Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch has already described Yulieski Gurriel as an international star. Now, the 32-year-old Cuban is getting a chance to make his mark in the majors.
Gurriel on Sunday singled in his first big league at-bat after being called up from Triple-A Fresno earlier in the day.
“I wasn’t sure I was going to get my first hit that fast,” Gurriel said. “I will take care of [the ball] and put it away and put in a place that is very special.”
Gurriel was the designated hitter against Baltimore, and he came to the plate in the second inning after waiting a bit — the start of the game at Camden Yards was delayed more than four hours because of rain.
The Astros won 5-3.
Gurriel finished one for two with a walk and a groundout. He left the game in the eighth with right hamstring tightness and is day to day.
“This is the one test in his whole life he has never answered,” Hinch said. “He’s played at every level in the world and been on the center stage and one of the best international players for a long time. This will be different for him, he’ll feel like a rookie again.”
Gurriel, who signed a US$47.5 million, five-year deal with the Astros on July 16, is primarily a third baseman. This weekend, the AL wild-card contenders sent third baseman Luis Valbuena back to Houston to re-evaluate his injured right hamstring, and he could be out for the season.
However, Gurriel can play other positions and could possibly get some time in left field, Hinch said.
Gurriel said he is open to helping the club any way he can.
“I’m not going to be nervous. Excited is probably a better word,” Gurriel said through a translator. “This has been a dream of mine for years. For a Cuban player to make it is a big deal, so I’m excited.”
Gurriel batted .250 with two home runs and 14 RBIs in 15 games (56 at-bats) with four Astros minor league affiliates. That was enough for Houston to give him an opportunity at the major league level, especially with Valbuena ailing.
“He got up to 50 at-bats with us in the minor leagues,” Hinch said. “That’s a normal spring training for him. We’ve bounced him around the country, but from a baseball standpoint, he’s ready and he’s ready for this challenge. To add him to this group is exciting for us, certainly fun for us, our guys will be excited about it. His baseball readiness, he’s in shape and ready to go.”
Gurriel said the biggest adjustment might be dealing with all of the excessive travel of a major leaguer. That was never an issue in his native Cuba.
He got his first taste of that grind flying from California to Maryland to meet his new teammates.
“Those trips are always a little tiring,” Gurriel said. “Obviously, in Cuba I didn’t travel as much as they do here, but I’m ready to play and help my team today.”
To make room on the roster, infielder Tyler White was optioned to Triple-A after Saturday’s game.
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